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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Create innovative food concepts and develop recipes for market launch.
- Company: Join a leading UK food manufacturer known for redefining food standards.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options and a collaborative, positive culture.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of culinary innovation with real impact on product development.
- Qualifications: Strong culinary background with experience in food manufacturing or product development required.
- Other info: Work in a fully equipped kitchen with a passionate team and ongoing development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you a culinary innovator with a passion for food trends and a talent for transforming creative ideas into commercially successful products? We're recruiting on behalf of a leading UK-based food manufacturer for a Product Development Chef to join their fast-paced, forward-thinking New Product Development (NPD) team. This is a fantastic opportunity for a chef with experience in the food manufacturing industry to work on cutting-edge plant-based and fresh food products that are redefining category standards across major retailers.
About the Role
As a key member of the NPD team, you'll be at the forefront of culinary innovation - developing exciting new recipes, responding to market trends, and guiding concepts from the kitchen bench to full-scale production.
Key Responsibilities
- Create and develop original food concepts based on customer briefs and consumer insights
- Work closely with cross-functional teams including Technical, Commercial, and Production to bring ideas to market
- Lead tastings and present product ideas with confidence to both internal teams and external customers
- Explore and experiment with ingredients, flavours, and techniques to push innovation boundaries
- Travel occasionally for trend research, customer collaboration, and sourcing inspiration
What We're Looking For
- A strong culinary background with experience as a chef within food manufacturing or product development
- Passion for food innovation, trends, and delivering on flavour
- Creativity, energy, and the confidence to champion new ideas
- Experience developing and scaling recipes from kitchen samples to factory-ready products
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively across departments
What's on Offer
- Join an award-winning, innovation-driven food business
- Work in a fully equipped development kitchen with a passionate team of foodies
- Benefit from a positive, collaborative company culture with ongoing development opportunities
- Flexible working options and the chance to make a real impact in a growing business
Product Development Chef employer: Hunter Savage
Contact Detail:
Hunter Savage Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Development Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the food manufacturing industry. Attend culinary events, trade shows, or food innovation workshops to meet people who can provide insights and potentially refer you to opportunities within the NPD team.
✨Tip Number 2
Stay updated on the latest food trends and innovations. Follow industry publications, blogs, and social media accounts that focus on plant-based and fresh food products to demonstrate your passion and knowledge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to showcase your creativity by developing a portfolio of your best recipes and concepts. This will not only highlight your culinary skills but also your ability to transform ideas into commercially viable products.
✨Tip Number 4
Practice your presentation skills. As you'll need to lead tastings and present ideas confidently, consider rehearsing with friends or colleagues to refine your delivery and ensure you can effectively communicate your culinary vision.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Development Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your culinary background and any relevant experience in food manufacturing or product development. Emphasise your creativity and passion for food innovation.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Mention specific examples of how you've developed original food concepts and worked collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
Showcase Your Skills: In your application, include details about your experience with recipe development and scaling products from kitchen samples to factory-ready items. Highlight any successful projects that demonstrate your ability to push innovation boundaries.
Prepare for Interviews: If invited for an interview, be ready to discuss current food trends and how you can contribute to the company's NPD team. Prepare to present your ideas confidently and share your approach to culinary innovation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hunter Savage
✨Showcase Your Culinary Passion
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for food innovation and trends during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've transformed creative ideas into successful products in your previous roles.
✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with various teams, be ready to discuss your experience collaborating with Technical, Commercial, and Production teams. Highlight any successful projects where teamwork played a crucial role.
✨Demonstrate Your Recipe Development Skills
Be prepared to talk about your process for developing and scaling recipes from kitchen samples to factory-ready products. Discuss any challenges you faced and how you overcame them to ensure product success.
✨Practice Your Presentation Skills
As you'll need to lead tastings and present ideas confidently, practice articulating your concepts clearly. Consider preparing a mock presentation of a product idea to showcase your communication skills and creativity.
